powder boy
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of powder boy
First recorded in 1795–1805
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
My friend would be very glad to see the powder boy here again, and if he brings coal, there are those here, who would try to help him sell.
One of these captains was known in Underground Rail-Road circles as the "powder boy."
As no opportunity had hitherto presented itself, whereby to prepare the "package" for shipment, from Washington, neither the "powder boy" nor Dr. T.B was prepared to attend to the removal, at this critical moment.
What does the "powder boy" think of it?
Jack swam more strongly and showed greater endurance because he had the beef and had been better nourished all his life than the scrawny young powder boy who was more like a lath.
From Blackbeard: Buccaneer by Schoonover, Frank Earle
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.